Danielle,
I didn't see that anybody replied to your request. I've held back because as Chairman of the Bicycle Board, I didn't want to influence anybody else's response but now I will respond.
I ride Rt. 7 through downtown on average several times each week. In general, I find the cars more trouble than the trucks. While the trucks seem a lot scarier, they'll usually just trundle along behind me while cars will occasionally pass me closely even when I'm in the middle of my lane.
Going out or in Beechurst, the going is easy when the traffic is heavy because everyone is going at or below bicycle speed. (I wonder if the WVDOT traffic study down there considered flow if the speed limit were enforced at 10 mph and all the red lights removed or set to truly balance intersection demand in real time. It would sure make cycling smoother through there.)
When the Beechurst traffic is lighter, motorists seem to be less patient and when they see there's maybe enough room to squeeze around, they'll do it. Again, since I always ride near the middle of the lane, the trucks almost never try to pass me but the cars more frequently do. Occasionally, a truck driver will blow his horn at me but I ignore it since I'm doing exactly what any other slow moving vehicle would do there. I think some motor vehicle drivers think bicyclists should be on the sidewalk since so many do ride the sidewalk down there despite its illegality. I can usually go 15-20 mph through there but again, if the speed limit were 10 mph and enforced, cycling would be fine, trucks or no trucks.
I know you said that you're not interested in Brockway but IMHO, that's worse than going through town. Either climbing up from Studio 101 (at Decker Avenue) to around Hackney St. where Brockway levels off, or climbing the Hogback turn and then keeping the hammer down where the cars and trucks can go faster is more likely to elicit horn blows and epithets than downtown. Despite the 25 mph speed limit there, this old guy can hardly get up either of those hills at more than about 10 mph. Again, if the speed limit were 10 mph or even 15 mph AND ENFORCED cycling there would be no problem, trucks or no trucks.
I would also suggest you acknowledge the damage that the trucks do to the road which in some cases can present a bigger hazard to the cyclist than the vehicle itself. For a long time, the right turn at Walnut and Don Knotts had such holes and humps that an inattentive cyclist could end up on his or her head. Sure, now it's been repaved but how long will that last?
I also drive my car along these same routes and find most offensive trucks taking up more than one lane and driving to the left of the center lane. Last week, as I was descending Brockway from Overdale, as I was about to enter the right hand curve in front of Studio 101, a truck came around the bend approximately 3 feet in my lane forcing me to jam on the breaks.
I look forward to your presentation to the Traffic Commission on Jan. 11.
Frank
On Jan 3, 2012, at 11:27 AM, D. Williams wrote:
Thanks, Frank. See you then.
D. Williams
“Planning is about leading, innovating and inspiring the next generation.” –APA, Communication Bootcamp
From: Frank Gmeindl [mailto:frank.gmeindl@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:02 PM
To: D. Williams
Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Input from cyclists on Route 7
Danielle,
It is my understanding that the next Traffic Commission meeting is January 11. I am a member of the Traffic Commission. While the TC normally meets the first Wednesday of each month, at the December meeting, the Commissioners decided to postpone the January 4 meeting one week because of the Orange Bowl that occurs January 4 and I suppose they want to watch it.
On Dec 29, 2011, at 3:55 PM, D. Williams wrote:
Traffic Commission and then briefing the Ped. Safety the following week.
“Planning is about leading, innovating and inspiring the next generation.” –APA, Communication Bootcamp
Danielle - Who are you presenting to? This might help as people can shape their comments to fit the audience. Thanks and good luck
Chet
I am presenting next week on the truck traffic impacts on Route 7 through downtown. Do any of you take this route regularly and have a comment? Do you have any images or assessments that you would like mentioned? I have some data from cyclists on Brockway, but that is not the focus of this presentation. I do think it is important to mention however as I counted 4 cyclists during my last field survey. This is not a full impact study, but I want to reach out to you for accounts and occurrences that you have witnessed on this commuting route.
Thank you for your input and additions to this research.
Assistant to the Director
Morgantown Monongalia MPO
82 Hart Field Road Suite 105 Morgantown, WV 26505
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
“Planning is about leading, innovating and inspiring the next generation.”
–APA, Communication Bootcamp